JUNE 6: OUR BID to get justice for murdered schoolgirl Zoe Evans is being stepped up as we take the campaign into west and north Wiltshire towns.

Hundreds of readers have e-mailed us, signed petitions and filled out coupons urging Home Secretary David Blunkett to set a minimum sentence for her killer.

This week we are giving a snapshot of what people across the country have been saying about the campaign, as we urge more people to sign their name to the petition.

Within the next few weeks we will be producing petitions to go into stores and businesses across west and north Wiltshire giving everyone the chance to put pressure on the Government.

Over the past two weeks we have heard from nine-year-old Zoe's heartbroken mother Paula and her former best friend Kayleigh who both revealed their fond memories of the Warminster schoolgirl.

Her killer, former soldier and stepfather Miles Evans, is still languishing in jail without a minimum sentence or tariff set.

This means Zoe's family have no idea when he is coming out and remain in a state of agonising limbo, always fearing the worst.

This has been the unacceptable situation for the last five years, ever since a jury found Evans guilty of murdering little Zoe and burying her body in a badger sett less than a mile from the family home.

Zoe's grandmother Ann Hamilton said she was pleased with the campaign's progress and the tireless campaigning by west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison, who plans to raise the family's plight in Parliament.

She said: "I am overwhelmed by all the people signing petitions and coupons.

"We need as much support as we can get as we have been waiting long enough.

"We can't end the bad memories until we know the full outcome."

Readers Support

"I hope that Mr Evans gets put away for life and never gets released. He needs to be given a minimum sentence not just so her family can have peace of mind but so that Zoe can begin to rest in peace." Stacie Watson, Warminster

"Miles Evans deserves to be put away for the hurt he has caused Zoe's family. I went to primary school with her and she seemed like a happy girl and he took that happiness away." Megan Baker, Warminster

"I think the disgusting man who killed his step-daughter deserves justice." Lisa Cullen, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire

"I feel this man should not be released for a long time. My friend living in the army barracks just wouldn't go out at the time because of fear." David Nolan, Warminster

"I know the family very well as I used to babysit for them. I have seen the pain they are going through not having justice for Zoe." Caroline Sibley, Co Down, Northern Ireland

"Will children ever be safe from these people? I would like to hear that they have locked him up and thrown away the key." Chrissy Harbour, Trowbridge

"His family are serving a life sentence, so should he." Sheila Parsell, Swindon

"A monster like that who can put family and others through all this deserves to rot in prison." Andy Bremner, Warminster

"I think he should never be let out. Zoe was a friend of mine and my sisters and she was the nicest person I have ever known." Kirsty Bremner, Warminster